William T. Gornik, Sr.

William T. Gornik, Sr., age 81, of Merrillville, IN, formerly of Gary, IN passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2023.

Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Donna Gornik (nee Wilden); 2 children: William T. (Barbara) Gornik, Jr., Amy Moll; 5 grandchildren: William T. Gornik III, Walker J. Gornik, Madison Moll, Gavin Moll, Gabriel Moll.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents: Joe and Helen Labash; and his grandparents who helped raise him: Florian and Helen Senffner.

Bill was raised in Gary, IN. He attended St. Joseph the Worker grade school and was a graduate of Lew Wallace High School, Class of 1959. He worked a short time at U.S. Steel, served in the U.S. Army Reserves, and then worked with and retired from the Gary Fire Department as Battalion Chief.
After retirement, he was a Public Works Director with the town of Merrillville and the Lake County Highway Department.  He was a former member of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church. Bill was also a member of the Merrillville Slovak Club, Gold Card Member of the Gary Sportsmen Club, and the American Legion Post #430.

Bill loved watching sports and had season tickets to see the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Notre Dame football, and saw the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 many times.  Bill was a hardworking man who loved his family very much and will be missed.

Services were held for Bill’s family. He will be laid to rest at Chapel Lawn and Memorial Gardens in Crown Point, IN.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Bill’s name to Hospice of the Calumet at hospicecalumet.org or to nwiparkinson.org

Visit Bill’s online guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com 219-663-2500.